It’s a rare week that doesn’t bring us a new face or two. Our newest arrivals include three feral dogs who have already stolen our hearts. Our partners Karen and Meghan Topping of Meghan’s House Rescue found a trio of frightened strays scrounging for food along county road A12, not far from our Sanctuary. They’re now safe in our care and learning that life with humans can be good. Earning their trust will be a journey worth taking. Help us save lives like theirs by supporting our Wellness Fund!
Fresh start for scared feral dogs
When Laura Finley got Karen Topping’s call, she didn’t blink. Sanctuary staff are used to finding strays in the Vistas. This time it was a momma and two older pups, all thin and scared. Fortunately hunger made them easy to catch. Karen and Megan poured some kibble and slipped leashes over the pups while they ate. Momma stayed beside them. All three were then coaxed into crates for transport to the Sanctuary, where staff settled the family into a kennel for quarantine.
They were so timid that Laura gave them a full week to decompress. Momma Fables has the skittish, defeated look of a dog who’s never known kindness. Her torso is already rounding out with another pregnancy. We’re crossing fingers that she’s not too far along to spay. Her pups are shy and avoid contact with staff. However, within a day or two all three dogs were showing curiosity and accepting treats through the fence.
Compassionate intake and care
A week after their arrival, I headed to the Sanctuary for their intake procedure. The first step was to get the feral dogs into the Sanctuary clinic. They’re terrified of leashes, so Laura and staff member Sydney Palmer opted to carry them on the tractor. That was the plan, anyway.
The dogs circled nervously when Sydney and Laura entered the kennel. Sydney picked the most approachable pup, Slick, and followed him until she could slip the leash over his head. Once noosed, he froze, allowing Sydney to scoop him up. He never resisted, but the fear in his eyes was heartbreaking.
In the clinic, Laura and Sydney weighed him, trimmed his nails, and took his temperature. He accepted everything, even the microchip, without a struggle. Once finished, he was transported back to a larger enclosure to wait for his momma and sibling.
Feral dogs need patience and gentleness
Catching the second pup proved more challenging. Zippy eluded the leash, and when Sydney finally slipped it on, he panicked. Every time Sydney tried to touch him, he flinched and swiveled defensively. Finally, Sydney and Laura decided to finish intake right there. The feral dogs had already been dewormed and given a DAPP vaccine on arrival. All they really needed now was a microchip and bordatella vaccine.
I was impressed by Sydney’s unhurried calm during the ten minutes it took to get close to Zippy. Her patience was rewarded when the pup finally allowed her to insert the microchip. After that ordeal, he accepted the vaccine without a fuss. He sat there looking utterly crestfallen while we turned our attention to his mother.
Fables proved more docile than her pups. She just surrendered like a dog who’s too tired to resist.
That done, we still needed to move Fables and Zippy to the new enclosure. Zippy still refused to be lifted. Together Laura and Sydney carefully maneuvered him into a crate and carried him out.
I remained behind with Fables. She’s too pregnant to lift so I hoped she’d walk the short distance to her new quarters. At first, she remained frozen with uncertainty. I waited and spoke to her gently. After a few minutes, she seemed to realize nothing bad would happen. I opened the door and she crept out and followed her puppies. Their reunion was joyful and heartwarming!
Donate to our Wellness Fund today
Given time, Fables and her pups will learn to trust humans, and one day they’ll make loving companions. This experience was the first building block in their relationship with caregivers. Good intake procedure is the foundation of our rescue work. Thanks to our staff’s loving care, these innocent feral dogs have passed the first milestone of their journey.
With new stray dogs arriving every week, the cost of vaccines and other basic supplies is exorbitant. Your generous support enables us to provide the healthy start they need. Donate to our Wellness Fund today!
